Window facade element

ABSTRACT

A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation, comprising an outside facade component and an inside facade component arranged in spaced relationship from one another. Both components extend over the entire surface of the window facade element and each has a respective window opening covered with glass. An air compartment is formed between both facade components which contains a shutter element at the region of the window openings and such compartment communicates with an air inlet opening at the inner component and an air outlet opening at the outer component. These air inlet and outlet openings are arranged along opposite horizontally extending boundary portions or edges of the inner and outer components.

[ 51 Feb. 26, 1974 1 1 WINDOW FACADE ELEMENT [76] Inventor: Ernst Wild, 1m Gehren 8712, Stafa,

Switzerland 22 Filed: Aug. 21, 1972 21 App1.No.: 282,549

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 506,618 12/1954 Italy 52/303 Primary Examiner-William E. Wayner Assistant Examiner-William E. Tapolcai, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or FirmWerner W. Kleeman 5 7 ABSTRACT A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation, comprising an outside facade component and an inside facade component arranged in spaced relationship from one another. Both components extend over the entire surface of the window facade element and each has a respective window opening covered with glass. An air compartment is formed between both facade components which contains a shutter element at the region of the window openings and such compartment communicates with an air inlet opening at the inner component and an air outlet opening at the outer component. These air inlet and outlet openings are arranged along opposite horizontally extending boundary portions or edges of the inner and outer components.

8 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure WINDOW FACADE ELEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION mentioned drawbacks and permits the use of shutter elements in a manner overcoming the disadvantages associated with the prior art proposals.

Now in order to implement these and still further ob- The present invention relates to a new and improved 5 jects of the invention, which will become more readily construction of window facade or front element for a building equipped with an overpressure venting or aeration or air conditioning or climatizing installation.

The problem exists with modern highrise or tall buildings having relatively large window surfaces of screening the rooms against excessive solar radiation without overly limiting the incidence of light. The use of sun shuttersmounted at the outside of the facade of a building is not always desirable, apart from their aesthetic limitations, but also in many instances due to significant technical reasons. For instance, sun shutters which are mounted at the outisde of the building are subject to soiling or contamination so that they must be periodically cleaned in order to maintain their reflective capability. Additionally, the danger exists that such sun shutters, under the effects of the formation of ice or collection of snow thereat, may become functionally unreliable. Finally, the use of externally mounted shutters and particularly lamellae shutters, such as Venetian blinds, cannot be readily employed in a great many instances, particularly in the case of tall buildings where considerable wind loads are present and/or because of the noise which is produced during use thereof.

An arrangement of sun shutters inside the glass of the building possesses a basic drawback as concerns thermal considerations since the non-reflected portion of the solar heat collects internally of the building and, if desired, must be withdrawn by means of an increased cooling load of the air climatizing or conditioning installation. On the other hand, if the sun shutters are arranged between both glass plates of a compound or double-glass arrangement,'then it is no longer possible to obtain a faultless sealing and there exists the danger of condensate forming between both glass plates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, from what has been discussed above it will be recognized that this particular field of technology is still in need of improved constructions of window facade elements which are not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art porposals. Thus, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved construction of window facade element which effectively and reliably fulfills the existing need in the art and is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art proposals.

Another and more specific object of the present invention relates to an improved construction of window facade element which effectively allows for the protection of the rooms of a building against solar radiation without unduly cutting-off the incidence of light, the use of shutters arranged such that they cannot be subject to malfunction or jamming due to wind load or external influences, and wherein the effluent air departing from the room can be employed to withdraw any air which has collected at the region of the facade element.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved construction of window facade element which is not associated with the aforeapparent as the description proceeds, the inventive window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation is manifested by the features that there is provided a facade outer component and a facade inner component spaced from the facade outer component. Both components extend over the entire surface of the window facade element and each is provided with at least one window opening or recess which is covered by glass. Between both facade components there is formed at least one air compartment or chamber which at the region of the window openings contains a shutter element. Further, this compartment is in flow communication with an air inlet opening provided at the inner component and an air outlet provided at the outer component, these openings being arranged along opposite substantially horizontally extending boundaries or edges of the inner component and outer component.

Owing to the construction of the facade element as a generally intermediate layer structure with a hollow compartment between both layers as well as the arrangement of the inletand outlet openings at such layers it is possible to make further use of the effluent or outflowing air of the aeration or climatizing installation of the associated room or space. Under the influence of the excess or overpressure which is produced in the room when, for instance, the air climatizing installation is set to work for summer conditions the effluent air flows through the inlet opening at the inner component into the air compartment and removes therefrom infiltrated heat in that the air flows into the ambient space or surroundings through the outlet opening at the outer component. The ambient air which ascends along the building front or facade entrains the effluent or departing air, so that such air, which under circumstances is still cooler, wipes across the associated facade element or a facade element located there-above and can withdraw thermal energy or heat stored thereat.

The outlet opening has preferably associated therewith a flap member maintained in its open position in the presence of an excess or overpressure which prevails at the air compartment or the room, as long as the air climatizing installation is in operation. On the other hand, in the presence of wind surges or loads which impact against the relevant facade this flap member closes. It can be advantageous to arrange such flap member between both facade components so that condensation and collection of moisture at the flap member is avoided.

Of particular significance for the inventive window facade element is the fact that owing to the arrangement of the shutter element at the air compartment such is protected from the effects of the external atmosphere or surroundings and nonetheless can prevent that radiant heat penetrates into the climatized room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein the single FIGURE illustrates in vertical sectional view a preferred embodiment of window facade element designed according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawing in the single FIGURE there is illustrated, by way of example, an embodiment of inventive mountable and transportable window facade element A wherein reference number 1 represents front plates which are mounted at the outside at the end surfaces of the floor of the building storey and carry support brackets 2 rigidly anchored therewith. Window facade elements A bear against the support brackets 2 by means of their inner components or parts designated by reference character 4. Each window facade element A which is conveniently attached at location 3 encompasses, apart from the inner component 4, an outer component 5 which is spaced from the inner component 4 but however in parallelism therewith as well as the spacer ledges 16 which extend between both components 4 and 5 and along the upper edge of the facade element and both vertical edges thereof.

Between the inner component 4 and the outer component 5 there is formed an air compartment or chamber 17. Now a shutter element, such as a slat-type or lamellae shutter 7, a Venetian blind arrangement for instance, is arranged within this air compartment 17 at the region of the window opening 5a of the outer component 5 which is closed by a compoundor doubleglass arrangement or construction 6, preferably at least partially formed of radiation reflecting glass. The air compartment 17 flow communicates via an air inlet opening 14 with theclimatized inner room or spaces of the building which is at an overpressure, and which space or rooms is closed by the associated window facade element A. The air inlet opening 14 is of a slotshape construction and extends horizontally at the re gion of the upper edge or boundary region 20 of the window facade element and the inner portion 4. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment the open underside 18 of the air compartment 17 forms its outlet opening which extends along the lower edge or boundary region 2] of the window facade element and which is in flow comminication with the atmosphere via a joint or gap 19 formed between two neighboring facade elements or outer components 5. The joint 19 is covered by a flap member or equivalent device which extends along the lower edge or boundary region of the outer component 5 and opens towards the outside. The window opening 4a at the inner component 4 is equipped with a single glass plate or arrangement 9 which is movably, for instance hingedly mounted at hinge location 9a, to permit access to the air compartment 17, for instance for cleaning purposes.

The inner component 4 and the outer component 5 can be constructed in known manner as a multi-layer wall with intermediate insulation layers, as such has been illustrated by way of example with regard to the outer component 5. Alternately, the inner component 4 can be provided at the region of the window sill or ledge with an internally arranged insulation 11, this window sill or ledge carrying a suitable heating element or climatizing device, generally indicated by reference character 10. At the ledge there is also provided a ledge channel 1 2 for telephone and current conductors. Be-

neath the region of the air inlet opening 14 there can be furthermore mounted at the inside of the inner component 4 an illumination or lighting unit 13 with starter and transformer.

During operation of the, for instance, central air climatizing or conditioning installation of the building there prevails an excess or overpressure at the rooms which is closed toward the outside by the aforedescribed window facade element A. The fresh air emanating from the air climatizing installation, and which for instance initially flows upwardly along the window surface 9 and at the ceiling of the room is deflected, finally arrives above the illumination or lighting unit 13 at the air inlet opening 14 and therafter at the air compartment 17. After the efiluent air has flowed from the top towards the bottom through this air compartment 17 it departs to the outside or front of the building facade via the air outlet opening 18 and the joint 19. The flap member 15 is maintained open by virtue of the excess pressure prevailing at the air compartment 17 in relation to the pressure of the atmosphere. The flap member 15 only then closes if the corresponding side of the building is impinged by wind load or surges, whereupon then the flap member immediately again opens.

The slats or lamellae of the shutter 7 are preferably formed of an anti-static material and instead of being horizontally arranged also could be vertically arranged, whereby the wiping or flushing thereof, owing to the flow of air prevailing in the air compartment 17, under circumstances can be insured for much better.

Instead of mounting flap member 15 at the outside of the facade of the building such could be also arranged internally of the air compartment, and specifically in such a manner that with the temperatures which are to be expected condensation of moisture from the efiluent air does not occur.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly what is claimed is:

1. A window facade element in combination with a building operating with an overpressure ventilating or air conditioning installation, comprising a facade inner component defining a higher pressure side and a facade outer component defining a lower pressure side and arranged in spaced relationship from the facade inner component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an upper horizontally extending boundary portion equipped with an air inlet opening and said outer component having a lower horizontally extending boundary portion equipped with an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet opening, said openings causing downwardly directed continuous flow of exhaust air in said air compartment and which moves from said air inlet opening downwardly through said air compartment and then through said air outlet opening to the surroundings.

2. The facade element as defined in claim 1, further including a flap member operatively associated with said air outlet opening and said flap member opening under the action of an overpressure prevailing at the air compartment.

3. The facade element as defined in claim 1, further including means for mounting the glass of the window opening of the inner component so as to be capable of being opened.

4. The facade element as defined in claim 1, wherein the glass of the window opening of the outer component comprises a double-glass arrangement.

5. A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation, comprising a facade outer component and a facade inner component arranged in spaced relationship from the facade outer component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an air inlet opening and said outer component having an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet opening, said openings being arranged along diagonally opposite substantially horizontally extending boundary portions of the inner component and outer component, said air inlet opening being provided at the region of an upper horizontally extending boundary portion of the inner component, a light source secured at the region of the inner component of the associated room for illuminating such room, said air inlet opening being arranged above said room light source.

6. A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation, comprising a facade outer component and a facade inner component arranged in spaced relationship from the facade outer component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an air inlet opening and said outer component having an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet opening, said openings being arranged along diagonally opposite substantially horizontally extending boundary portions of the inner component and outer component, means for mounting the glass of the window opening of the inner component so as to be capable of being opened, said mounting means comprises a hinge arrangement for swinging open the glass of the window opening of said inner component.

7. A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation, comprising a facade outer component and a facade inner component arranged in spaced relationship from the facade outer component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an air inlet opening and said outer component having an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet opening, said openings being arranged along diagonally opposite substantially horizontally extending boundary portions of the inner component and outer component, the glass of the window opening of the outer component comprising a double-glass arrangement, and wherein the doubleglass arrangement at least partially consists of radiation reflecting glass.

8. A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure areation or air climatizing installation, comprising a facade outer component and a facade inner component arranged in spaced relationship from the facade outer component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an air inlet opening and said outer component having an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet openings, said openings being arranged along diagonally opposite substantially horizontally extending boundary portions of the inner component and outer component, and wherein said window facade element defines a transportable and mountable unit. 

1. A window facade element in combination with a building operating with an overpressure ventilating or air conditioning installation, comprising a facade inner component defining a higher pressure side and a facade outer component defining a lower pressure side and arranged in spaced relationship from the facade inner component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an upper horizontally extending boundary portion equipped with an air inlet opening and said outer component having a lower horizontally extending boundary portion equipped with an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet opening, said openings causing downwardly directed continuous flow of exhaust air in said air compartment and which moves from said air inlet opening downwardly through said air compartment and then through said air outlet opening to the surroundings.
 2. The facade element as defined in claim 1, further including a flap member operatively associated with said air outlet opening and said flap member opening under the action of an overpressure prevailing at the air compartment.
 3. The facade element as defined in claim 1, further including means for mounting the glass of the window opening of the inner component so as to be capable of being opened.
 4. The facade element as defined in claim 1, wherein the glass of the window opening of the outer component comprises a double-glass arrangement.
 5. A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation, comprising a facade outer component and a facade inner component arranged in spaced relationship from the facade outer component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an air inlet opening and said outer component having an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet opening, said openings being arranged along diagonally opposite substantially horizontally extending boundary portions of the inner component and outer component, said air inlet opening being provided at the region of an upper horizontally extending boundary portion of the inner component, a light source secured at the region of the inner component of the associated room for illuminating such room, said air inlet opening being arranged above said room light source.
 6. A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation, comprising a facade outer component and a facade inner component arranged in spaced relationship from the facade outer component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an air inlet opening and said outer component having an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet opening, said openings being arranged along diagonally opposite substantially horizontally extending boundary portions of the inner component and outer component, means for mounting the glass of the window opening of the inner component so as to be capable of being opened, said mounting means comprises a hinge arrangement for swinging open the glass of the window opening of said inner component.
 7. A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure aeration or air climatizing installation, comprising a facade outer component and a facade inner component arranged in spaced relationship from the facade outer component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an air inlet opening and said outer component having an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet opening, said openings being arranged along diagonally opposite substantially horizontally extending boundary portions of the inner component and outer component, the glass of the window opening of the outer component comprising a double-glass arrangement, and wherein the double-glass arrangement at least partially consists of radiation reflecting glass.
 8. A window facade element for a building equipped with an overpressure areation or air climatizing installation, comprising a facade outer component and a facade inner component arranged in spaced relationship from the facade outer component, both of said facade components extending over the entire surface of the window facade element, each facade component containing at least one window opening provided with glass, at least one air compartment formed between both spaced facade components, a shutter element provided for said air compartment at the region of the window openings, said inner component having an air inlet opening and said outer component having an air outlet opening, said air compartment being in flow communication with said air inlet opening and said air outlet openings, said openings being arranged along diagonally opposite substantially horizontally extending boundary portions of the inner component and outer component, and wherein said window facade element defines a transportable and mountable unit. 